This. Political spectrum square master race. The horseshoe can explain why commies act like fascists, but it can’t explain why anarchists don’t act like commies. The hard-soft/libertarian-authoritarian aspect is crucial. Because otherwise it makes it look like the USSR being really left is why it acted like Nazi Germany being really right, which isn’t the point. It’s that both were really totalitarian, that’s the similarity. It’s not about enforcing equality or inequality, it’s about enforcing equality or inequality.

They’re not real, obviously. They’re as fake and/or out of context as most of these images are. Miyazaki aside, most of these are made as jokes. That’s how you get ones where Kojima will say that Superwholock is trash and stuff. Because it’s, you know, a joke.

It’s definitely generational, but Japan isn’t like America in that it’s also a tradition to break away from the previous traditions. So it sticks around in new ways, I think. Maybe less racist than xenophobic, you’re right, at least for the West. Not towards China. Japan doesn’t fully understand the West, (Also vice-versa.) they don’t know us and they don’t want to. They know what China is (Or their idea of what China is, anyways.) and definitely don’t like it. That’s the difference between racism and xenophobia, I think. Not knowing something and fearing it and just wanting it away from you, versus having a long history with something, hating it and wanting it erased from existence. Good point.

@SacremPyrobolumWestern influences. Whether that’s speaking English or democracy or rock’n’roll or whatever, it’s a reaction to whatever is new, untraditional, etc. Hence why far-right groups are called reactionary. Or baka gaijin, always that.
Edit to your edit: I shouldn’t even have to say this, but Empire kills live. Way too many lives. For way too stupid a reason. Do you wish you, or someone like you, could kill, rape or steal in India or the Caribbean without any repercussions either? Because that tends to happen when you have domination of one place by another. And then comes inevitable revolt and then years and years of distrust and hatred. Again, low levels of nationalism creates identity, ultranationalism starts wars.
@Zancrow
Except American exceptionalism, or any nation’s exceptionalism, really, is a pretty dangerous thing. There would be no ‘Murica without it. That’s coming from someone very far-left, though, but I still maintain that people can have pride in themselves and their culture without making it a competition and having “the best”, since that naturally leads to “the worst” and that always leads to violence. Peace out.

@SacremPyrobolumOne of the characters father is a politician from this party. They’re like the the UK Independence Party or French National Front of Japan. Horrible, horrible racists and warmongers.
@Zancrow
True, they’re the only one to have straight-up mentioned it, but lots of anime spouts very anti-foreign propaganda that harkens back to the days of empire. I distinctly remember something about the creator of Attack On Titan saying a bunch of right-wing nutjob stuff. Hetalia, also, maybe. Stuff like how Korea is meant to be Japanese territory, etc.

That’s great to hear, I’m glad things are going (mostly) well for you. That you’re facing your challenges and adapting to situations as they come really means you’ve learned the most valuable lesson high school can teach you, I think. I look forward to see what you create in the future. You do you, SweetAndDeliciousSmellGaoGao. Speaking of far more important things than having a life, what do you think of this season’s anime? I was skeptical of Yurikuma at first, but I’ve grown to like it a lot. Aside from that, Cute High Earth Defense Club Love! has been both very funny and also emotional at times, something I didn’t see coming. Also, magical boys r da bes. I think I’ve already discussed the healing properties of Koufuku Graffiti and of course JoJo is great when I don’t have to look away. Other than that, Yugioh Arc-V is shaping up to be one of the best YGOs ever. The good guys are the USSR to the bad guys Nazi Germany. It’s disturbing when you think about it. But what YGO isn’t secretly dark beneath the surface? So, you got any favorites right now?

It’s a little weird at times when all your friends are off at college and you’re stuck and somewhat physically alone, but I was never the life of the party at school anyways, so that’s nothing new. I have a few close pals I talk to online and that’s good enough for me. But if I was less focused than I am, I could very easily just waste my time doing a lot of nothing (and that happens from time to time) but I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a growing period. Whenever the pressure feels like it’s too much, I just keep trying to think of how everything in my life right now is in a state of change, but change for the better. I knew I wasn’t ready to completely flip my life around, so this transition period has helped me ease into the changes a lot. Pretty soon I’ll be ready for the next step of my life to begin and I’m actually looking forward to it, kind of.
But enough about me and my life, how has senior year (it is senior, right?) been treating you? Have you come to any plans? Speaking from some experience, it’s completely fine if you haven’t. It’s definitely something you want to think seriously about before chaining yourself to one option.

Yo SAD.
I’ve been good, not very social, admittedly, but good.
My year off from school has been…rather normal, actually. I’m taking on much more responsibility than in high school, that’s for sure., looking for a more “real” job to save up before I drown in student loans. I’ve known my own strengths and weakness since sometime in school, like good work ethic and punctuality but socially shy and unconventional, etc. Now it’s pretty much how to improve the bad and capitalize on the good, finding a field that would work well with my interests and personality, still unsure of that…

The most evil character in the show so far, who orchestrated all the events to hurt the main characters, talking dirty (Literally, discussing their vile plans.) with her lover, who remained unseen. (Bet you it’s the principal, though.)